Investment for a Good Start into Life
Organic Cotton Diapers are the Better Alternative
Contributed by Christina Boecker, SEKEM Group When you feel the baby bumping inside you and it's only two more months to go, you know you have to start making some decisions: What will life look like with the little darling around? How can you make sure your baby gets a good start? Only the very best and healthiest products are acceptable, of course! And what about the diapers?
Disposables are handy, of course: in a minute the wet and smelly diaper is rolled up into a neat and almost clean bundle, and you get rid of it in your wastepaper basket. In another minute the new disposables are fixed and mummy and child are happy. But is this image true? Let's review a few common assumptions about disposable diapers and re-usable cloth diapers. A healthy choice?
The manufacturers of disposables rely on studies, which seem to prove, that reusable cloth diapers, which tend to leave baby's bottom more wet than the hypermodern synthetic disposables, directly lead to sore bottoms. However, many mothers find the opposite true. Fewer sores and fungal infections with cloth diapers. Among the reasons are the improved air circulation in the cloth diapers and the lower temperatures. Disposables support the temperature build up and thus create the ideal climate for microorganisms to grow. Babies are sensitive, so it is extremely important to keep harmful substances away from them. Diapers and clothing are in direct contact with a babies skin 24 hours a day - a good reason to invest in safe products. Organic diapers and clothing are an excellent choice, because no chemicals are used to grow the cotton or manufacture the diapers. Environmental Balance - no difference between disposables and re-usable diapers?
Manufacturers of disposable diapers claim that cotton diapers do not offer a more eco-friendly alternative. Although the waste is reduced (more than 18 billion tons in the USA per year!), the production and high water consumption of reusable cotton diapers is said to balance the effect on our environment. However, when looking closer at these studies one finds, that they are conducted with a biased view. The production of cotton diapers can be made in a very eco-friendly way when using organic cotton, but this fact is always neglected in studies! And water consumption really depends on the laundry habits. Most mothers do only two machine-loads per week, hot washings and ironing are usually unnecessary and the use of eco-friendly detergents further reduces the impact on the environment. And what about the cost?
On average, in the US, $1500 per child is spent on disposable diapers until the child reaches the age of 2 1/2 years. The most expensive cloth diapers will cost you no more than $800. -. Even when adding the cost of energy and detergents for the laundry you will end up with some nice savings, and the diapers can be used for more than one child as well as making excellent dust cloths! You might say, ok - but cloth diapers are too difficult to use! Knowing about the advantages does not help, when I face the very real problem of desperately trying to fix a cloth diaper on baby's bottom, while disposables are done with in a minute. Well, if this is the only problem, you will be surprised about the new systems available now through many companies. You will find lots of options starting from the classic diaper and cover combination, to the all in one options that are as easy to use as disposables. How to get started:
Under the Nile offers a system of Demeter and organically certified diapers, made from wonderfully smooth, high quality Egyptian cotton.
24 -36 diapers will get you started. Read more at www.sekem.com.
Here is a list of other members of the Organic Trade Association who offer organic cotton diapers:
Ecobaby Organics - www.ecobaby.com
Under the Nile - www.underthenile.com
FLGF, LLC - www.babynmore.com
Glad Rags!/Keepers - www.gladrags.com
Organic Ethos - www.funorganic.com
Sckoon - www.sckoon.com
SEKEM Group - www.sekem.com |